After a powerful Aretha Franklin tribute opened the 53rd Grammy Awards on Sunday night, the Queen of Soul herself appeared in a taped video segment, thanking the divas who paid tribute to her and the fans supporting her through recent health troubles. It was Franklin's first televised appearance since surgery for an undisclosed malady, rumored in December as pancreatic cancer.

"I wish that I could have been with you all tonight, but since I couldn't, next year," Franklin, 68, said.

In her brief Grammys video appearance, Franklin looked healthy in a white dress, though she has lost a significant amount of weight since her surgery. She thanked her fans for the prayers, good wishes and get-well-soon cards.